13th December 2019 14:59
By Blue Tutors
The news of striking by many university staff in the UK was greeted with mixed feelings by the students affected. While they appreciate the reasons for the action, it might also have a dramatic impact on their academic record. This is something also true for many students being tutored when their tutor cannot teach for a few weeks.
Many tutors decide to start tutoring because of the flexibility of the role. A lot of us begin with the notion that we’ll have much more freedom compared to being employed and holidays or time off will no longer need to be negotiated and limited. The reality is that students don’t ever want to miss a lesson. As soon as a tutor has tutored well and consistently for 3-4 weeks, they create a rod for their own back when it comes to time off.
Of course students get to know their tutor incredibly well, the rapport builds so much more quickly than with a teacher or lecturer. For that reason, our students often show in interest in our lives and are sympathetic towards the desire to go on holiday for a week and enjoy life. This sympathy can quickly turn to frustration, though, if the holiday lasts for two weeks or more, or if the holidays become regular. Tutors come to be relied upon, and students can feel let down when they don’t receive the consistent weekly lessons they were expecting.
The great thing is that tutors very quickly feel invested in their students, and the pull of 2 weeks holiday is nothing compared to the pull of ensuring they can support their students throughout the academic year. It is this feeling which makes tutoring such a long-term rewarding activity.